Day 12 - Heriot Bay (Gorge Harbour)

Day 12 – 30 June 2009

Departure – Octopus Islands;

Destination – Heriot Bay (changed to Gorge Harbour, see below)

Arrival Time –
State of The Sea – 1 Foot Chop
Wind – NW 10 – 15

Weather – Sunny and Bright not a cloud in the sky!

Captain / Admiral’s report:

(We have not had internet or cell connection for a couple of days now)

What a beautiful day. Other than the wind it is a perfect day. Sunny, hot and dry.

Last night’s sky put on a dazzling display of extraterrestrial spheres!

We took “Minivacation” for a tour this morning to enjoy the many coves and possible anchorages of the Octopus Islands. This area is definitely on our will return list! See pictures below and we are sure you will agree.

After an early lunch compliments of Susie, we set out to gather our crab and prawn traps from yesterday and then be on our way to Heriot Bay.

The crab trap yielded 10 (too small) red rock crabs. All had to be returned to the Sea.

The Prawn traps had a far more interesting yield. In all, we collected:
2 – Star Fish
2 – Shrimp
1 – Prawn
1 – Sea Cucumber
1 – crab
4 – scallops
1 – squat Lobster
All of which was returned to the Sea. (see pictures below)

After cleaning up our tools, we were off to meet Pat & Claudine in Heriot Bay.

The short cruise of 13 nautical miles was very pleasant with a following sea and 1 foot chop.

As we approached Heriot Bay the wind had picked up and made Rebecca Spit and even the docks at Heriot Bay would be very un comfortable for an overnight stay.

Tom contacted Pat to find out when they might arrive. Pat and Claudine have not been able to get out from Secret Cove for a couple of days now. The winds have been too strong for them to come North.

Because of Pat and Claudine not being able to join us and the state of the Sea at Heriot Bay, we made the decision to make a run for cover into Gorge Harbour for the evening. You may remember our stay in Gorge Harbour from a few days ago.

We arrived without incident at Gorge Harbour for a comfortable stay at the dock.

Tom & Susie out for a "stroll"

Octopus Islands

Birds walking on water?

Octopus Islands

Crabs

Sea Cucumber

Advertisment for Trotter & Morton

So much for the big Prawn catch...but we did get this smorgasbord...

4 – scallops

Heriot Bay

Rebecca Spit

View looking East from Rebecca Spit to Cortes Island and beyond

Day 11 - Octopus Islands

Day 11 – 29 June 2009

Departure – Blind Channel @ 1230

Destination – Octopus Islands
Arrival Time – 1500

State of The Sea – 3 Foot Chop
Wind – NW 10 – 15 (Gale Warning for Johnstone Streight

Weather – Sunny and Bright with a very few clouds

Captain / Admiral’s report:

This morning we went for a short hike along the water front. We were witness to some pretty amazing views and a few remnants of an industrial past of the area.

We were underway at a cruising speed of 22 knots for the Octopus Island by 1230ish. As we left the calm protected waters of Blind Channel we thought the days journey would be an easy saunter.

BUT... after rounding the turn into Johnstone Strait, we experienced the fetch of a 20 – 30 knot wind build up and an opposing tide. By the time we made it to Discovery Passage, our boats were bathed in the grime of dried Sea Spray. We can now quite literally say we are old Salts.

After heading into Okisollo Channel from Discovery Passage, the water flattened out and afforded us smooth cruising for the rest of the trip to the Octopus Islands.

The Octopus Islands are a wonderful spot! They are well protected from most winds that may try to find their way in. If time had permitted, we would have enjoyed another day or two here. Maybe next time!

After anchoring the mother-ship (Justavacation) as Tom likes to call her, the 4 of us set out in Maresia to drop crab and prawn traps and try our luck at some Salmon Fishing. Our luck with the Salmon fishing was not quite as exciting as our exit from “Hole In The Wall”. By that I mean... we were enjoying a 2 knot troll inside Hole in the Wall when, seemingly, without warning the tide had shifted to about a 6 knot Ebb and had Maresia heading for the rocks. Good thing our captain Tom was on his toes and was able to recover just in time to safe the vessel and crew from our impending doom. ;)

We went to harvest the crab trap and found that we had trapped 4 undersized Red Rock Crab. We sent them back to their watery home until they get it right for next time. Our intent is to pull the prawn traps tomorrow on our departure for Heriot Bay.

This evening’s meal was hosted by Sheila. Tacos...yummy.

You may notice in some of the pictures we have adopted a new mascot. If you want to know the details, you will have to ask the creator, Tom about the name and origin. My lips are sealed. (I could be bribed).





Chatham Point


Okisollo Channel


Okisollo Channel


Entrance to hole in the wall.



Octopus Islands



Breaker Breaker 19


Narrow entrance to Octopus Islands


Maresia entering Octopus Islands


Discovery Passage



Johnstone Strait





Johnstone Strait





Fishing at Hole in the Wall




Look at me..I am fishing!


Crab vs Crab



Catching the UFO...



Arrrge Maitee !!
(playing dress up with the admirals wine glass charms)

“I knew I should have been flossing”...

There is some clandestine origin to this UFO, of which you must seek the wisdom and clairvoyance of Captain Tom for the secrets to this unusual phenomenon.

Teaching the finer techniques of the “flipper crotch”


A quick study...

Good form Susie!

The grasshopper leaps past the master!

Old winch..

Blind Channel shore line hike.

Day 10 - Blind Channel

Day 10 – 28 June 2009

Departure – Von Donop Inlet 1130

Destination – Blind Channel
Arrival Time – 1430

State of The Sea – Calm

Wind – very light winds

Weather – sunny and bright with a few clouds

Captain / Admiral’s report:

We woke to bright sunshine this morning. (that would be the bright and cheery smiling faces of Tom and Susie) The sun in the sky was pretty impressive too!

We took our time getting ready to leave Von Donop this morning. The reason for our lackadaisical meandering was because we had to time the tidal currents for a comfortable pass through the Yuculta and Dent Rapids.

This morning we witnessed Turkey Vultures competing with Bald Eagles for a salmon carcass on the beach. (see picture below)

We had a wonderful cruise to our destination today... BEAUTIFUL SCENERY, WATER, SKY AND COMPANY.

We arrived in Blind Channel to a stunning vista of mountains, sea and sky.

This is our 10th day out ... the awesome experience of this breath-taking scenery seems new and fresh every day.

We are very lucky people to live in this great Province and have the opportunity to experience it like this.

The Admiral and I often have commented that we wish each of you could experience this with us!!!



Turkey Vultures competing with Bald Eagles for a salmon carcass on the beach.



The Stand off...



Two old buzzards come face to face....



Sutil Channel




Maresia passing infront of Whiterock Passage.

One of the many hazards we encounter on our cruises...

Birds sitting on the water is a good clue that there may be something a “bent prop” can do without...

Lewis Channel

Calm Channel (an obvious fitting name for this stretch of water)

Sea Lion Rock - near Big Bay on Stuart Island

Big Bay Marina (fishing lodge)

Yuculta Rapids at Big Bay

Dent Island Whirlpools

Cordero Passage

Blind Channel Marina

Blind Channel Marina

The Admirals flanked by Captain Tom and Captain Bruce

Justavacation and Maresia nuzzling on the dock...

A salute to Alberta

Flutter-Bye